The Easter Story – Day #5
(Devotional by Pastor Ben)
The Trial and Crucifixion

The evening spent around the Passover table is one the disciples will cherish forever; a time of hushed reverence overlaid with the warmth of their Lord’s love. But the rest of the night unfolds in jarring contrast. One event tumbles angrily into the next; an explosive and violent crashing of world systems and ancient traditions and religious hierarchy and political intrigue. In dismay, we watch . . .

    * Illegal midnight trials rigged with faked evidence.

    * Angry maneuverings of vindictive power-hungry leaders.

    * Three cowardly denials from the most impulsive disciple.

    * The spineless cave-in of a political envoy.

    * The polarizing effect of the King of the Jews, even while pinned to a torturous tree.

These events are cloaked in the darkness of the night and the darkness of closed minds. The sun is suffocated by a mid-day eclipse, and all creation violently shudders in horror at His death. Prophecies are fulfilled as He is sealed inside the utter darkness of a stone tomb.

For the religious leaders, it takes several trials, outright manipulation, and the breaking of a number of laws to get the final result they want.

 “Those who had arrested Jesus, took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward and declared, ‘This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

    “Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You have said so, but I say to all of you, From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

    “Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’

    “He is worthy of death, they answered.”     (Matthew 25:57-66)
Jesus is painfully aware of everything He is about to endure. Read the Scriptural predictions He knew by heart in Isaiah 53.